Australia keeps rates on hold February 2, 2010 Australia’s central bank shocked markets by skipping an interest rate rise yesterday, citing the impact of higher mortgage rates at home while noting tighter policy in China and concerns over sovereign debt abroad. The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to keep its key cash rate at 3.75 per cent confounded expectations of a rise to [...]
Whether QE stays or goes, sterling is weak February 2, 2010 THE big event this week for sterling is tomorrow’s decision from the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Up until last week, it had been widely expected that the Bank’s £200bn quantitative easing programme would be paused in February, but dismal fourth quarter GDP growth data raised the possibility that the MPC might extend [...]
JOBS ARE KEY TO AMERICAN 2010 GROWTH February 2, 2010 CHINA was the biggest market surprise in 2009 as the country’s GDP growth almost single handedly rescued the world from the worst economic recession since the war. The continuation of the recovery trade will be dependent on whether G20 economies can take the baton from China as its economic growth slows to a more natural [...]
This year, look out for the rise of the rupee February 2, 2010 WHO would want to be an emerging market central banker at the moment? Having stormed ahead of their Western rivals during the financial crisis, economies in Asia and Latin America are now facing the prospect of rising prices. The authorities face an unenviable task – they need to strangle inflation without derailing growth. In these [...]
The Tipster February 2, 2010 CENTRAL BANK news is dominating the currency markets this week and foreign exchange traders should be digesting these decisions as they are announced. On Monday night, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shocked the markets by keeping interest rates on hold at 3.75 per cent. The expectation had been for a 25 basis point hike [...]
Investors with a strong stomach could find safe haven in the franc February 2, 2010 AMID all of the turmoil gripping the European Union in the wake of Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland’s debt problems, Switzerland – which is not a member state – has remained fairly trouble free. The contrast between Europe’s woes and the relative calm of the economic outlook in Switzerland has been played out in the [...]
BP’s fall takes fuel out of oil stocks but FTSE rises higher February 2, 2010 Britain’s top shares closed higher for the third straight session yesterday as miners and banks extended the previous day’s gains but BP dragged energy stocks lower with fourth-quarter results that missed expectations. The FTSE 100 was up 35.90 points, or 0.7 per cent at 5,283.31, after closing 1.1 per cent higher on Monday. Miners added [...]
DR Horton cements construction stocks February 2, 2010 US stocks rallied for a second day yesterday as better-than-expected earnings and encouraging data calmed investors after the market’s recent sell-off. Rising sales of previously owned US homes and robust earnings from bellwethers representing consumer and industrial businesses, including Whirlpool and Cummins, pointed to a steady rebound in demand. “The housing data, followed by the [...]
Valentine’s escapes for every taste February 2, 2010 Valentine’s Ball and Massage Lesson at Culloden Estate, Belfast First, an opulent Valentine’s Ball on Saturday, with drinks and dinner. Make a night of it and stay over – then, on Sunday, after a deluxe breakfast, learn the art of massage a deux. A personal masseuse will explain how it’s done, introduce you to a [...]
How do I stop inappropriate email banter? February 2, 2010 A colleague is starting to be uncomfortably flirtatious over email and pressuring me to engage in a similar tone. How do I stop this interaction before it goes any further? I’d rather avoid any unpleasant scenes, drama or awkwardness. Joanna, 29, solicitor THERE are two ways to deal with this kind of issue. One is [...]
